• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • E-Liquid
    • View All E-Liquid
    • E-Liquid Types
      • Bar Salts
        • Nic Salts
          • E liquid Subscription
            • 50/50 E-liquid
              • High PG E-Liquids
                • High VG E-Liquids
                  • Nicotine Free
                    • DIY E Liquids
                      • Shop all Vape Juice
                      • E-Liquid Flavours
                        • Disposable Flavoured
                          • Drinks
                            • Fruit
                              • Iced Fruit
                                • Menthol
                                  • Mixed Fruit
                                    • Sweet and Dessert
                                      • Tobacco
                                        • Shop All Flavours
                                        • E-Liquid Ranges
                                          • Red Label
                                            • VLTZ Ultra
                                              • VLTZ
                                                • Mr Wicked's
                                                  • Titan
                                                    • Diavlo
                                                      • Diavlo Heavy VG
                                                        • Switz
                                                          • Switz Smooth
                                                            • Symphonic
                                                              • Patriot
                                                              • Best Selling E-liquids
                                                                • Ice Menthol Red Label
                                                                  • Iced Blackcurrant Red Label
                                                                    • Double Menthol Red Label
                                                                      • Red Label Blackcurrant
                                                                        • Tobacco Titan
                                                                          • Menthol Titan
                                                                            • Blue Razz Lemonade VLTZ
                                                                              • Peach Ice VLTZ
                                                                              • Guides
                                                                                • Best e-liquid flavours of 2024
                                                                                  • What Are Bar Salts?
                                                                                    • One Stop Guide to E Liquids
                                                                                      • How To Mix Your Own E Liquid
                                                                                        • What is Nic Salt?
                                                                                          • E-Liquid Ingredients - What's In Your E-Liquid?
                                                                                        • Disposable Alternatives
                                                                                          • View All Disposable Alternatives
                                                                                          • Brands
                                                                                            • Elf Bar Disposable Alternatives
                                                                                              • Lost Mary Disposable Alternatives
                                                                                                • IVG Disposable Alternatives
                                                                                                  • SKE Disposable Alternatives
                                                                                                    • Totally Wicked Disposable Alternatives
                                                                                                    • Big Puff Vapes
                                                                                                      • 2400 Puff Vapes
                                                                                                        • 4000 Puff Vapes
                                                                                                          • 6000 Puff Vapes
                                                                                                            • 9000 Puff Vapes
                                                                                                            • Guides
                                                                                                              • Disposable Vape Alternatives: Preparing For the Ban
                                                                                                                • 5 Best Vape Starter Kits for Beginners
                                                                                                                  • Best E-liquid Flavours of 2025
                                                                                                                    • Best Vapes for 2025
                                                                                                                      • VLTZ re:fuel 2 – The review
                                                                                                                        • The Ultimate Guide to Lost Mary Vapes
                                                                                                                      • Vape Pods
                                                                                                                        • View All Vape Pods
                                                                                                                        • Vape Pods
                                                                                                                          • Refillable Vape Pods
                                                                                                                            • Pre-filled Vape Pods
                                                                                                                            • Vape Pod Kits
                                                                                                                              • Pre-filled Pod Vape Kits
                                                                                                                                • Refillable Pod Vape Kits
                                                                                                                                  • 4 in 1 Vape Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                  • Vape Pod Brands
                                                                                                                                    • VLTZ
                                                                                                                                      • Elf Bar Pods
                                                                                                                                        • Lost Mary Pods
                                                                                                                                          • SKE Crystal Pods
                                                                                                                                            • Totally Wicked Pods
                                                                                                                                            • Vape Pod Kit Brands
                                                                                                                                              • Totally Wicked Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                • Elf Bar Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                  • Lost Mary Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                    • SKE Crystal Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                    • Best Selling Vape Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                      • Lost Mary BM6000
                                                                                                                                                        • Flex Pro Bar
                                                                                                                                                          • Flex Pro Box
                                                                                                                                                            • Lost Mary Tappo
                                                                                                                                                              • Elfa Pro
                                                                                                                                                              • Vape Pods Guides
                                                                                                                                                                • Vape Pods Guide
                                                                                                                                                                  • Pre-filled Vape pods Versus Disposable Vapes
                                                                                                                                                                • Vape Kits
                                                                                                                                                                  • View All Vape Kits
                                                                                                                                                                  • Kit Types
                                                                                                                                                                    • Vape Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                                      • Starter Kits
                                                                                                                                                                        • Vape Pens
                                                                                                                                                                          • Vape Mods
                                                                                                                                                                            • Arc Vape Kits
                                                                                                                                                                              • Shop All Kits
                                                                                                                                                                              • Kit Types
                                                                                                                                                                                • Disposable Alternatives
                                                                                                                                                                                  • Pre-filled Pod Vape Kits
                                                                                                                                                                                    • Refillable Pod Vape Kits
                                                                                                                                                                                      • 4 in 1 Vape Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                                                        • Big Puff Vapes
                                                                                                                                                                                        • Big Puff Vapes
                                                                                                                                                                                          • 2400 Puff Vapes
                                                                                                                                                                                            • 4000 Puff Vapes
                                                                                                                                                                                              • 6000 Puff Vapes
                                                                                                                                                                                                • 9000 Puff Vapes
                                                                                                                                                                                                • Vape Pod Kit Brands
                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Totally Wicked Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Lost Mary Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Elf Bar Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                                                                        • SKE Crystal Pod Kits
                                                                                                                                                                                                          • New
                                                                                                                                                                                                            • ELFBAR 600 Prefilled Pod Kit
                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Lost Mary BM600 Prefilled Pod Kit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                • PIXL DUO 12 Kit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • SKE 600 PRO Kit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • ELFBAR Dual 10k Refillable Pod Kit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Switz Pro
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Best Selling Vape Kits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Mavro
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Aeromax
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • ARC 5
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • ARC MINI
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Skope Air
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Tornado GTL
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Guides
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Choosing The Best Vape to Quit Smoking
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Best Vapes for every vaper
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Vape Pod Kits Guide
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Vape Mods Guide
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • How to Prime Your Atomizer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Vape Coils
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • View All Vape Coils
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Device Type
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Coils by Kit
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Coils by Tank
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Shop All Coils
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Guides
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • How to Prime Your Atomizer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Why Do Some Vape Coils Last Longer Than Others?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Vape Coils for Dummies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Nic Pouches
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • View All Nic Pouches
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Totally Wicked Nicotine Pouches
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Mint Nicotine Pouches
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Spearmint Nicotine Pouches
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Accessories
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • View All Accessories
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Vape Batteries
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Pen-style
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Box Mod Battery Units
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • 18650 Batteries
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Tanks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Chargers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Mouthpieces
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Guides
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • How to Prime Your Atomizer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Tank Information
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Vape Battery Guide – Everything You Need to Know
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • How to Safely Charge Your E-cigarette
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Brands
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • View All Brands
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Vape Brands
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Totally Wicked
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • VLTZ
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Lost Mary
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Elf Bar
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • SKE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Support
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • View All Support
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • New Vapers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • How To Prime Your Atomizer
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Upgrade your disposable
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Customer Services
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • FAQs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Get in Touch
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Wicked Premier Rewards
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Blog
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • View All Blog
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Blog Categories
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Vape Industry News
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Vaping Health & Lifestyle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Product Reviews
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Vape Kit Guides
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Disposable Vape Guides
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Eliquid Guides
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Latest Articles
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Vaping At Festivals
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Best Vapes for 2025
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Disposable Vape Alternatives: Preparing For the Ban
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Turn Up the Flavour With VLTZ Ultra
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Tobacco and Vapes Bill and What It Means for Vapers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Trending Articles
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • How to Fix ‘No Atomizer’ or ‘Check Atomizer’ on Your E-cig
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • The Ultimate Vape Troubleshooting Guide
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                • Best Lost Mary BM6000 Flavours
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  • Ultimate Guide to Lost Mary Vapes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • Vape Battery Guide – Everything You Need to Know
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    • In The Spotlight
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      • Puff Counts Explained: Are ‘Big Puff’ Vapes Worth It?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        • Mavro: Experience the Power of Precision
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          • Best Elf Bar 600 Flavours
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Are These the Worst E-Liquid Flavours We Ever Made?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              • Vape Flavours for Spring
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Vaped Logo White 2022

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Vaped

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            By Totally Wicked

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Industry News
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Health & Lifestyle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Product Reviews
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Vape Kit Guides
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • E-liquid Guides
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Disposable Vape Guides
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Search
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Home » Vaped » Industry News » Should Pharmacies Sell E-cigarettes?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Avatar for Jonny Eccles

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Should Pharmacies Sell E-cigarettes?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Industry News

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            - Jonny Eccles - 25th April 2019

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            4 min read

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Facebook Share Icon
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Twitter Share Icon
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • LinkedIn Share Icon
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Email Share Icon
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Pharmacy Sign

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            In this article...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Rite Aid pharmacy stops selling vaping products
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Rite Aid pharmacy to continue to sell cigarettes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Pharmacies in the UK support vaping

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            In the UK, many pharmacies sell e-cigarettes, with various health organisations recommending vaping as a stop smoking tool. However, in the USA attitudes can vary and one pharmacy chain has taken drastic measures. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Rite Aid pharmacy stops selling vaping products

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            US pharmacy giant, Rite Aid has recently stopped selling vaping products in its stores. Rite Aid is one of the largest pharmaceutical chains in the USA with over 2,500 stores. The business sells various products from groceries to toiletries and notably, cigarettes.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The organisation has decided to remove e-cigarettes from its shelves because of scare stories that claim youth vaping is an epidemic in the States. Bryan Everett, Rite Aid Chief Operating Officer said:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            "We're concerned about some of the alarming statistics regarding the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products by children and teens."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Everett did acknowledge the benefits of e-cigarettes as he said:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            "While many feel [e-cigarettes] are beneficial to those of legal age who are trying to quit the use of tobacco, we have made the decision to remove all electronic cigarettes and vaping products from our offering at all Rite Aid stores"

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Rite Aid pharmacy to continue to sell cigarettes

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Incredibly, despite removing vaping products from its stores, Rite Aid will continue to sell traditional tobacco cigarettes. According to its website, "Rite Aid pharmacy offers products and services to help you lead a healthy, happy life."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            This company is willing to sell products which are known to be the leading cause of preventable death but won't sell the products which have helped hundreds of thousands of people stop using said tobacco products. This hardly seems suggestive of a business which wants you to 'lead a healthy, happy life'.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Pharmacies are one of the most important outlets to sell e-cigarettes. With trained pharmacists, shoppers can be given stop smoking advice and support as well as suitable products. It also supports e-cigarettes' position as a less harmful alternative to smoking.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The claim that the choice to stop selling vaping products was made because of youth uptake of vaping doesn't make much sense. A place that sells cigarettes, of course, has suitable age restrictions in place for its various products. Rite Aid could simply not sell vaping products to minors to avoid this issue.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Whilst this move from Rite Aid is concerning, the situation is a little brighter over here in the UK. Many pharmacies sell e-cigarettes, endorse their use, and work with local reputable vape stores for the best results.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Pharmacies in the UK support vaping

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Attitudes towards vaping in the UK differ vastly to those seen in the USA. Public health organisations like Public Health England (PHE) actively endorse e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid. In a 2018 PHE report suggested that e-cigarettes should be made available in hospital shops among other pro-active initiatives.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Since then, numerous Stop Smoking Services and pharmacies have adopted, and endorse, e-cigarettes as a stop smoking tool. Totally Wicked works with many local councils and health services to help vaping reach its potential as a cessation aid.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Totally Wicked provides not only the relevant products but also firm advice, information and training. This is pivotal in helping pharmacists understand e-cigarettes and should, therefore mean they are more invested in them.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Louise Ross, clinical consultant, National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT) said to The Pharmaceutical Journal:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            "Pharmacists are in a unique position to encourage smokers to quit. Some will already be commissioned to provide a stop smoking service; and as noted in ASH's report 'A Changing Landscape', services should encourage smokers to use e-cigarette as a stop smoking aid. Pharmacists have the chance to influence smokers when conducting medicines use reviews or when they have the opportunity to give brief advice to clients when dispensing medicines.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            These opportunities shouldn't go to waste. Telling a smoker to stop may well provoke a response of weary agreement that, "yes, I should, but I've tried everything and nothing works". However, confident advice from a pharmacist about the use of e-cigarettes could make another ex-smoker."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Chris Green, Totally Wicked smoking cessation lead was asked ‘should pharmacies sell e-cigarettes? He said:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            "It makes sense that in the UK, pharmacies sell e-cigarettes. Pharmacies are being commissioned to provide stop smoking support, so with e-cigarettes now being recognised as the UK's most popular quitting aid, the decision to stock them seems like an obvious one.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            A pharmacy is a place associated with trust and reliability. By selling e-cigarettes in such a place it should help to give potential vapers the reassurance they need to make the switch, rather than being misled by the scare stories which are unfortunately so prevalent in our industry."

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Avatar for Jonny Eccles

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Jonny Eccles - Marketing Executive

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Jonny is passionate about the vaping industry and is all about the details. He’s the King of Reviews, making sure you know all the pros and cons of any newly released vaping products. Jonny is the go-to guy for knowing which vape is best for which type of vaper. His in-depth articles and videos make sure you have all the relevant information you need to help make an informed decision before purchasing a product – whether that’s the latest vape kit, the best e-liquid flavours, or the best disposables.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Visit Jonny's full author profile to find out more.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Totally Wicked Support - We're here to help! Discover Disposable Vape Alternatives

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Further Reading...


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            totally wicked recycling scheme article

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Recycling Disposable Vapes After The Ban

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Industry News

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Avatar for Jonny EcclesJonny Eccles - 5th June 2025

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            As of June 1st, 2025, the sale of single-use disposable vapes is no longer permitted in the UK[i].

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            A VLTZ re:fuel 2 with the refillable pod detached at the top against a yellow background with a pink band across the midsection of the image. The VLTZ log and re:fuel 2 is written across the pink band.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            VLTZ re:fuel 2 – The review

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Industry News

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Avatar for Jonny EcclesJonny Eccles - 27th May 2025

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            “This new device does everything the re:fuel did, but now with a bigger battery capacity and

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            tobacco and vapes bill

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Tobacco and Vapes Bill and What It Means for Vapers

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Health & Lifestyle, Industry News

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Avatar for Scott SlaterScott Slater - 1st April 2025

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced to the UK Parliament on 5 November 2024[1], includes several

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Footer

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Vaped by Totally Wicked

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Be the first to hear the latest vaping news

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Sign up to our newsletter

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Totally Wicked will use the information you provide on this form to keep in touch with you and to provide exclusive updates and offers. Please let us know if you are happy to continue receiving email communication from us.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at [email protected]. We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices please view our Privacy Policy. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            We use MailChimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to MailChimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Join the largest e-cigarette community today!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Facebook
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Twitter
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • Instagram
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • YouTube
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            • LinkedIn

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Copyright © 2025

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Search our blog!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Enter your search term(s) below and if you need any further information or advice contact us.